Year 2

Is your home a castle?

Teachers: Mr Pring and Mrs Lines

This project was heavily linked to: design and technology (construction), art, history and geography and had many writing opportunities. The children started by thinking 'what does home mean to them' and they then designed a dream home for an instant display (art focus: perspective). In literacy, we started with 'fairy tales' because Rumplestiltskin and Rapunzel had castles in the stories and it was an engaging place to start. Other writing links included: writing instructions about how to catch a dragon (based on Pie Corbett how to catch a troll), writing diary entries about their trip, then a historical diary from a servant and then one from the perspective of Queen Elizabeth I. The knowledge needed to write the diary entries was taught in history before the diaries were expected in Literacy. We went on 2 trips this term, Cedars Park to learn about Theobald's Palace (where Queen Elizabeth frequented) and a local walk around Hoddesdon. The local trip was inspired by 'Street Detectives' from Cornerstones. We looked at Human and Physical features as well as compass position. Children recreated maps and also included where they would build a potential castle. In design and technology, the children built castles in pairs (previous art work supported this-such as matching colour to natural objects) and the science taught covered materials and their properties. The exhibition was a huge driving force. Butler's Estate Agents, in Hoddesdon town, allowed us to use the shop for a whole morning and sell our castles. We had 5 groups of around 12 children (in pairs/3s) selling their castle and families had appointment times. It was amazing!

Essential Questions

Is your home a castle?

What does home mean to me?

How can I build a castle?

How could I stop invaders? (dragons included!)

What was it like to live in a castle?

Student Reflections

"It was amazing and I was proud of my team because we had worked hard on our castle" - LP

"The exhibition was really fun because I learned lots with my friends - especially how to talk to customers" - LS

"The more sales I got the more confident I became" - AM

"I was happy because I had lots of customers and we had a brilliant day". - ABN

Downloads

Teacher Reflections

There are many links that can be made with this project that makes the learning engaging and relevant. This project has amazing oracy links and links to the real world. Book Butler’s as your exhibition to sell castles! Be aware that there is not a great deal of science and this will need to be covered in future projects (we taught materials and enquiry skills).

Exhibition Responses

"I am proud of all the children. This project engaged them and the parents! Overall, the school has done an exceptionally well in planning not only today's event but others this year. Well done St Catherine's"

"A great experience for the children and what a great idea"

"The sales teams were warm and inviting"

"The children were very informative"

"Congratulations to all of the children. The exhibition was fantastic and interesting"

"The castles were extremely impressive and the children clearly enjoyed their learning!"